by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Along the Mississippi River (mostly Carroll County), Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Winter Varieties
Lock and Dam #13
Site contains mostly Pool 13 at its widest, some bottomland forest and below dam, the Mississippi River. Army Corps of Engineers property about three miles south of Thomson off of HWY 84 onto Lock Rd. Stop in parking areas along Lock Rd. to view birds on Pool 13. Parking areas both north and south of dam give good river views. Excellent waterfowl diversity and nesting Bald eagles. Songbirds in bottomland forest by parking area below dam. Belted Kingfishers, Prothonotary Warbler, Horned Grebe, many swallow species. Large numbers of wintering Bald eagles, often hundreds.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds)
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (September through November)
Winter Varieties (December through February)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Along the Mississippi River (mostly Carroll County), Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Shorebirds, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds
Thomson Causeway
Bottomland forest interspersed with diked ponds, also borders Pool 13 of Mississippi River. To reach this Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Area, drive west out of Thomson about 1 mile, entrance on left. Access habitat from roads and a few trails, with two campground areas that are more open. Can view waterbirds in ponds and Pool 13. Depending upon water levels, shorebirds can be good on pond edges. Usually see Red-headed Woodpecker, Sandhill Cranes, American White Pelicans, warblers, Baltimore orioles and much more.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds)
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Fall Migrating Shorebirds (Mid-July through August)
Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (September through November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
<< BACK TO BIRDING SITES
by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Along the Mississippi River (mostly Carroll County), Birding Sites, Fall Migrating Songbirds, Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Shorebirds, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds
Spring Lake Backwater on Pool 13, some diking. Also bike trail with brushy/woods habitat parallels backwater. Another section of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, this site is about 2 miles south of Savanna off of HWY 84. Dike area good for waterfowl; bike trail going north provides good looks at songbirds and waterfowl, sometimes shorebirds and rails, American White Pelican, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, waterthrushes and good variety of ducks. Birds Found at this Site: Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (Spring Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds) Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May) Nesting Species (May through Mid-July) Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November) Fall Migrating Shorebirds (Mid-July through August) Fall Migrating Waterfowl/Waterbirds (September through November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Along the Mississippi River (mostly Carroll County), Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Songbirds
Mississippi Palisades State Park
Heavily wooded riverside bluffs and sheltered valleys with stream flowing through some areas. South entrance about 1 mile north of Savanna, off of HWY 84. Park in first lot and walk roads and trails for great diversity of songbirds including unusual warblers such as Kentucky, Northern Parula, Cerulean, and Yellow-throated. Also Pileated Woodpecker, Scarlet Tanager, Louisana and Northern Waterthrush, and many more. Early May birding also provides brilliant wildflowers. Late September can get good Broad-Winged Hawk migration.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
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by NIAS | Jan 15, 2024 | Along the Mississippi River (mostly Carroll County), Fall Migrating Songbirds, Nesting Species, Spring Migrating Songbirds, Winter Varieties
Lost Mound Unit – Upper Mississippi National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
Sand savanna and sand prairie over which some development from the former Savanna Army Depot is still evident. Wooded high banks along the Mississippi. Entrance off of HWY 84 at Blackhawk Rd. about 7 miles north of Savanna. Follow entrance Rd. until it T’s then go right past refuge office. Drive slowly on the different criss-crossing roads for looks at grassland birds, some unusual such as Northern Mockingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-breasted Chat, Western Meadowlark and various sparrows. Whip-poor-wills can be heard off of road that borders river going north from refuge office. This road ends in parking area with river lookout, good for Bald Eagles in winter, with an occasional Golden Eagle. No walking trails, road travel only. Vast majority of refuge closed to private road travel. Bird tours sponsored by refuge have access to closed area. Call (915) 273-2732 for information on tours.
Birds Found at this Site:
Spring Migrating Songbirds (April and May)
Nesting Species (May through Mid-July)
Fall Migrating Songbirds (Late August through early November)
Winter Varieties (December through February)
Year-round resident species will be found at nearly every location. Visit Audubon.org to learn about the specific species of birds listed in each area.
<< BACK TO BIRDING SITES
